Former WWE star KAIRI (Kairi Sane) becomes the first-ever IWGP Women's Champion

Originally posted on Wrestling News | By Andrew Ravens | Last updated 11/20/22

At Sunday’s NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over event, KAIRI (Kairi Sane) became the first-ever IWGP Women's Champion when she defeated Mayu Iwatani in the main event.

The finish of the bout saw the former WWE star hit Iwatani with a spinning back fist and then dropped an elbow off the top rope for the three count.

Post-match, she cut a promo about how she would defend the title at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 but wasn’t sure against who, so Tam Nakano came out and challenged her, which was made official. KAIRI and Tam teamed together in Stardom Flashing Champions.

KAIRI signed with WWE in 2017 and started in NXT, eventually winning the NXT Women’s Title in 2019. WWE called her up to the main roster to pair her with Asuka where they were known as the Kabuki Warriors. They held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles once.

KAIRI returned to Japan in July 2020 and worked for WWE as an ambassador. Her contract expired in February.

This article first appeared on Wrestling News and was syndicated with permission.

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